By Zareef Muzammil
KUALA SELANGOR, July 6 — The financial burden carried by a heart patient in paying for his treatment cost since 12 years ago finally came to an end after the state government approved his application for RM50,000 aid under the Heart Treatment Scheme.
Lorry driver P Murugan, 64, admitted that throughout the years, he had to seek sympathy from his relatives and close acquaintances to cover the cost of surgery operations in 2010, 2016 and 2019 which totalled almost RM48,000.
“I feel very relieved and grateful upon knowing that my name is listed as a recipient of aid. Actually, I applied for the scheme last year and this year it was approved.
“Thank you to the state government as without this aid it will be difficult for me to get further treatment, including getting medicine at the hospital. After all, the salary as a lorry driver is not enough to cover the relatively high cost (of treatment),” said the father of five who lives in Taman Bendahara near here.
Murugan was among the five recipients of the scheme who received the aid from Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari during a ceremony held in conjunction with the Selangor Penyayang roadshow at the Stadium Utama Kuala Selangor, on July 2.
Another recipient Muhammad Fazmee Shah, 32, said he applied for the scheme in preparation for the kidney disease he has been suffering from for the past two years which had put his heart at risk.
“I undergo dialysis treatment three times a week. The kidney problem is slowly affecting my heart, so I applied for this scheme at the Bukit Melawati state constituency community service centre and did not expect it to be approved.
“I will use this aid as soon as I start my heart treatment at the hospital,” said the father of three who works as a lorry driver.
The Selangor government continues its Heart Treatment Scheme programme this year to help the people in need with funding of up to RM50,000.
Previously, state executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud informed that a total of 257 patients have benefited since the scheme was launched in 2018 at a cost of RM4.03 million.
The scheme is open to Malaysian citizens born in Selangor or residing in the state for more than 10 years and with a household income of not more than RM8,000 per month.
Applications can be made through Selcare Management Sdn Bhd (Selcare) which will issue a guarantee letter (GL) before the recipients can seek treatment at the National Heart Institute (NHI).
